On a Saturday late last month, a group of Constitution activists staged a protest outside the Leon Valley City Hall. The single-story modern building also serves as the police station for the city of about 11,000 residents.

James Springer was broadcasting live on YouTube that day. He said he came to the protest because “abuses of power by the Leon Valley Police Department. Their dislike of the First Amendment.”

James Springer was broadcasting live on YouTube that day. He said he came to the protest because “abuses of power by the Leon Valley Police Department. Their dislike of the First Amendment.”

About a dozen protestors joined Springer. It was mostly uneventful, until police officials called an impromptu press conference.